Character Biography - Vyra, Servant of the Red Fiend
This piece functions as a character biography providing all the essential materials for fleshing out a game character- one-liner description, expanded bio, backstory/inciting incident, related themes, voice print, sample dialogue, character motivations and needs, and relevant worldbuilding details.
One-liner Character Bio
Transformed from petty thief to demonic shapeshifter, Amber Winshaw (now Vyra) seeks vengeance on her former partner in crime while wrestling with the bloodthirsty demands of her hellish master.
Expanded Bio
Vyra, born Amber Winshaw, grew up in a major city, drowning in poverty since childhood. Her only real solace has been her partner in crime, a man named Vico Rollo, with whom she has developed elaborate routines for conning others out of their money in order to survive. Each has their role in these charades, and they play them masterfully. They trust no one but each other.
Backstory / Inciting Incident
On a routine day of thieving, Amber pickpockets an invitation to an illustrious party where a large amount of wealthy officials will be present. This is a golden opportunity: the chance to steal enough valuables that she and Vico can live a comfortable life together, and leave their life of crime behind to settle down like Amber has always dreamed they could.
“One last heist” goes terribly wrong. In the vault by himself, Vico breaks to his greed and makes off with the goods alone, leaving Amber to face the consequences. With no cue from Vico that it’s time to leave, Amber is caught and thrown in jail.
On the eve of her execution, a demon appears in her cell, offering Amber freedom and power in exchange for her servitude. This arrival is calculated: she has had time to stew on Vico’s betrayal and has turned from hoping he will arrive at any moment to rescue her to the dawning realization that she has been abandoned.
With Amber’s hopes for the future shattered, she forgoes her humanity and takes the deal. Amber Winshaw is no more - she sheds her old life and her human form to become the demonic shapeshifter Vyra, sating her master’s bloodlust with her first act of servitude… bending the bars of her cage and painting the walls with blood.
She may owe her soul to the Red Fiend, but her life is her own now. Her new goal is to find Vico, and make him pay for his betrayal… while keeping this new voice in her head, clamoring for violence, at bay.
Voice Print
Vyra IS neurotic, calculating, distrusting, and brash.
Vyra IS NOT altruistic, snobbish, unintelligent, or cruel.
Themes to Explore
Codependency
Revenge
Trust and betrayal
Freedom
Sample Dialogue
“Yeah? What can I do to ya? Er, for ya.”
“Lying? Pshh. Someone’s never heard of method acting before.”
“Relax, I’m not a snitch. You’d be surprised what I can work with. Though, uh. You’d tell me if you were a crazy axe murderer, right? Yeah, I figured if ya wanted to whack me you’d have done it by now.”
“Crime is such a dirty word. It’s a, uh, souvenir.”
“I don’t get you. The not talking thing. …So, uh, what are ya in for? Like, what’d ya do? I mean I used to think you were a holy guy, but now… I have a few theories. Did they cut your tongue out or something?”
“Hey, hey buddy. Listen. I’m not judgin’. It would make sense. Sure, it sounds nutso now when I say it, but… Anyway, I’m guessin’ that’s why ya never talk, or take off that helmet thing, even when you go to sleep. You’re horribly disfigured under there, aren’t ya? Sick bastards…”
“Little buddy, is this a dream? Legally you gotta tell me, or else it’s entrapment.”
Want vs. Need
Vyra thinks that an elevated status and glamorous lifestyle will make her happy. What she really needs is stability and control over her situation.
"I'm tired of living day to day not knowing where my next meal is gonna come from. I wanna have what those rich snobs have! Class! Style! Power! I want it all. ”
Vyra wants someone who can tell her what to do. What she really needs is someone who can support her while she finds her own sense of purpose.
“Just tell me what you want... how I should act, what I should say... I can transform into anything, if you just tell me who you need me to be, already!”
Worldbuilding & Details
Q: You mentioned a voice in her head that craves violence, is that it's own distinct character or more like a facet of Vyra herself given a voice?
A: The voice that hounds Vyra to violence is a lesser demon named Leech, one of the Red Fiend's underlings that acts as her constant companion. He is bloodthirsty, crass, bombastic, and quite a bit more abrasive than their mutual "boss." Leech’s role is to keep an eye on Vyra and provide her with... not-so-gentle nudges in the wrong direction towards evil, as the Red Fiend has his own aims to achieve and cannot be present 24/7.
Q: What is the Red Fiend’s ultimate goal with Vyra? Is this 'partnership' as straightforward as it seems, or are there ulterior motives?
A: The Red Fiend is always concerned with growing in influence and power. He cannot manifest in the real world beyond the shadows, and as such requires servants to carry out his will.
His goal with Vyra is to shape her into a perfect handmaiden and soldier- loyal, obedient, and ready to kill at his every whim. His ultimate goal is to accumulate enough power and influence to be summoned into the world of mortals, ushering in his demonic armies to conquer and kill.
Q: What were Vico and Amber’s typical roles in their charades? Will it come up later in the game?
A: Vico is less refined, a more "smash and grab" type. Amber used her image, cunning, and manipulation to distract and allow him a window of time to get the dirty work done.
Those are the roles they were in at the party the night everything went wrong- Amber was there to ensure nobody got close to the vault, distracting guests and keeping them occupied while Vico stole the goods.
Since Vico never came back, the theft was eventually discovered and Amber's identity exposed as an infiltrator. With Vico long gone and no conspirator found, the crime was solely pinned on her and she was thrown in jail.
Her shapeshifting powers give her a new capacity to take on these roles and fool people, but it feels slightly icky now because of her past with Vico. She's good at it, but doesn't enjoy the reminder.
Q: What kind of internal conflict do you imagine in this story?
A: Internal conflict is introduced through the demon underling the Red Fiend appoints her, a constant companion whether she wishes it or not. It's a monkey's paw situation re: her feelings on wanting someone to tell her what to do, which ends up helping her define herself and her own desires by realizing through him what she DOESN'T want to become.